Why Should I Join?

MCSP Students Michigan Community Scholars have a common interest in community and academic study. Many have experience from home working in community organizations, and all have achieved academic success in high school. Students join MCSP seeking to build friendships with other students from a diverse set of racial, ethnic, religious, state, and national backgrounds. The program is open to first and second year students from all schools and colleges. MCSP Faculty Faculty who teach in MCSP care deeply about students. They offer First-Year Seminars and other small, introductory courses in which students are encouraged to actively participate in class discussions. Faculty come from departments such as African and African American Studies, Economics, English, History, Information Studies, Psychology, and Sociology.

MCSP Staff
The faculty director, program director and administrative assistant of the program are joined by a staff of sophomore peer advisors and upper class junior and senior Resident Advisors. On-site there are also academic advisors, a librarian, a minority peer advisor, and coordinators of community service and academic support services. The program staff are ready to help new students get adjusted to college, become involved in program activities, take advantage of community and university resources, and strive to fulfill their personal and academic goals.

MCSP Courses
First Year Seminars – students select one 20-person seminar in the fall term. These courses emphasize active participation and considerable faculty-student contact. Selected course titles include, “Democracy, Diversity and Community,” “Poetry of Everyday Life,” “Black Protest Narrative,” “Arts Alive,” “College Community Literature,” and “Psychology of Culture, Power and Human Relations.” Course listings vary year-to-year.

Community Service Courses – in the winter term students go into the community for engaging field experiences while reflecting upon their experiences in small discussion groups.

MCSP Seminar – The entire MCSP community comes together in large and small discussions to think about the transition from high school to college as well as issues of change and community. Some community involvement also is part of this one-credit introductory fall term course.

Introductory Courses – Sections of first year English and Math courses are reserved exclusively for MCSP students. Some of these courses are offered in the residence hall.

Community Focus
Doing Community Service - Students join MCSP because they see the importance of civic engagement and social justice by working in and with their surrounding community. MCSP Students have opportunities to participate with their friends in one-day projects, ongoing projects throughout the academic year, and projects which are part of community service learning courses. Community service opportunities abound in educational, environmental, health and socio-economic areas. Examples include helping to build a Habitat for Humanity house in Cleveland, tutoring elementary school children, preparing dinner in the food kitchen, helping out at Ronald McDonald House, and helping clean the UM Arboretum.

Gaining an Intellectual Understanding of Community Issues – Students think about the purposes of community work by studying and writing in their seminars about community relations, histories, and experiences. Students also reflect upon their personal relationship to the communities of people with whom they work, differences in power and privilege, and possibilities for short term and long term change.

Living Community Ideals – MCSP students are challenged to live out the ideals of community that they develop through participating in other communities and studying about communities. In the close living space of the residence hall, students attempt to work out issues of intergroup relations, interpersonal relations, rights and responsibilities, values and accountability. Each year students work toward a goal of creating a just community within MCSP.

Transition from High School to College
One of the MCSP's core goals is to aid students' transition from high school to college. There are many support services that are available to MCSP community members including many tutoring and general academic seminars that help members sharpen research and communication skills. Resources available to members help them become more aware of University services and how to use them. Peer Mentors and Peer Advisors help answer questions regarding the University, Ann Arbor, and even coursework. The program also provides many leadership opportunities such as the Programming Board, and through its various community and service projects.

Academic Support Services
Collaborative learning is a core component of MCSP. Students study together and help one another in their coursework because it is every student’s goal to achieve academic success in college. MCSP provides special study group facilitators in core academic subjects. Academic advisors provide on-site counseling. Workshops on time management and study skills are made available to students.

Involvement and Leadership
The MCSP philosophy is that students should take the lead in planning and organizing programs and activities. Students are encouraged to participate and lead committees such as: Arts and Culture, Community Service, Intergroup Relations, Intermural Sports, Programming Board, Social and Recreational Activities, and Newsletter. There are numerous opportunities to invite speakers and artists to the program. Because of the leadership and community experience students gain through MCSP, there is a smooth transition to leadership roles in other organizations on campus. MCSP encourages its students to be involved in a range of campus organizations.

MCSP Student Testimonials

“I found that the best thing about this program was that I was able to meet people that were very different from me for the first time.”
“I enjoyed the discussions because they were in a small atmosphere. It allowed for us to have good discussions about serious topics. It allowed me to get to know some people that I probably would have never met if it wasn’t for the program.“
“MCSP has helped me think about how I live life and want to make the most out of everything at U of M.”
“MCSP has made my life here at Michigan smaller which made me feel more secure, especially at such a big school. It has helped me to realize the importance of individual and community service.”

Housing Information [Couzens Hall]

The MCSP is located on the east wing of Couzens Hall on the second, third and fourth floors. Couzens Hall is located on the north end of "The Hill" and houses about 600 people. There are standard singles, doubles and triples available within this housing.

How Do I Apply?

Apply to the program through the Housing Administration website: http://www.housing.umich.edu/. Information will be sent to admitted students once you turn in your enrollment deposit. Once you send in your housing information, including the MCSP short essay, then we will review your application to the program. Admission to the MCSP is done on a rolling basis through mid-summer.

Step 1. Decide that MCSP is the right place for you.

Step 2. Pay your UM enrollment deposit.

Step 3. Receive your Housing Information.

Step 4. Fill out the Online Housing Information at http://www.housing.umich.edu. Indicate your preference to be in the Michigan Community Scholars Program (MCSP) and write the one page essay. The faster you turn this in, the faster we may be able to accept you into MCSP.

Step 5. Receive an acceptance letter from MCSP.

Step 6. Attend Summer Orientation to learn more about MCSP and register for MCSP courses.

Step 7. Move into Couzens Hall with MCSP in the Fall!